TORONTO — The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents over 18,500 flight attendants across the country, is calling on Members of Parliament to reject the Competition Bureau’s latest report on airline competition.

The report, released earlier this month, recommends allowing up to 100% foreign ownership of Canadian airlines and eliminating anti-cabotage rules – a move that would permit foreign carriers to operate domestic flights within Canada.

CUPE argues these changes would open the door to widespread job losses, diminished safety standards, and greater control of Canada’s airline industry by foreign interests.

“This is not about giving Canadians more affordable air travel – it’s about handing over control of our skies to Wall Street and foreign corporations,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “Canadians want safe, reliable and affordable service, not a race to the bottom.”

The union also points to recent trends in Canada’s airline sector as evidence that deregulation does not automatically lead to more competition or lower fares. Instead, CUPE notes that the past few years have been marked by increasing consolidation among major carriers, reduced service to rural and remote areas, and a steady rise in ticket prices.

“Workers in this industry know that the Competition Bureau’s recommendations ignore reality in Canada, and they ignore the importance of a Canadian-owned and operated air network, particularly in times of crisis and emergencies, whether it’s evacuating people during wildfires or delivering essential goods,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick. “We can’t afford to hand over that control.”

CUPE is urging the federal government to shelve the report and instead focus on strengthening the existing Canadian-owned airline network. The union advocates for public investment to ensure that air transport in Canada remains accessible, safe, and staffed by well-trained unionized workers.